A beautiful day...

Photo taken at the Lynchburg Community Market a few weeks ago.

It began quite early, I was up at 4:00 a.m. to watch the Royal wedding. It was fabulous and worth getting up before dawn.

We have a wedding of our own next Saturday, my daughter Amy will marry her best friend, Matt. The ceremony is in Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock River. We are so excited for them as they begin their life together.

Back to packing...

Hope you have a fabulous weekend.

This is fascinating to me...

Xandi Schawinsky
Found this in a book that I bought at a sale a few weeks ago. When I first saw the picture, I saw the flowers and it wasn't until a few seconds later that I noticed the birds. When I showed it to my husband, he saw the birds first. I just find the entire piece fascinating.

We picked up the keys to our new place this morning. Although I dislike moving and had hoped not to for a while longer, I'm really excited and beyond ready to get started.
Hope you are having a great week!

To plant a garden...

is to believe in tomorrow. Audrey Hepburn...

6 x 8 on watercolor paper

acrylics, vintage papers & images

peeling paint technique

A lot going on right now as we are preparing to move, this will be our last until we retire. We have finally found a place that is as close to perfect as we are going to find in the area we want to live. It's small and maintenance free and is just what we wanted, living area, kitchen, 2 bedrooms (or 1 bedroom and studio) and a bath. It also means we have another round of downsizing to do. Time to sell, donate and trash. We've already taken a full truck load to a thrift shop run by our local Humane Society, a very worthy cause. Needless to say that internet usage will be limited over the next several weeks however when we get moved, I'll have 24/7 access and will be able to blog on a daily basis again. I've missed that so much the past year and one of the main reasons for our move. I've already begun working on a website.I will try to pop in from time to time since I will still be creating throughout the move. Wish me luck!

Have a super weekend.

A glimpse...

Here are bits of several pieces I'm currently working on...

Blending watercolors

Impressions in gesso with several coats of paint

Some collage fun

This year I'm very focused on learning as much as I can. I'm doing several workshops plus reading as many instructional books as I can. I'm covering mixed media, Photoshop, collage art, drawing, journaling and watercolors for now. These are just of few of my "practices" with different techniques and applications.
Hope you are having a great day.

Hard to believe...

I just noticed that I am getting close to 3,000 visitors. It comes at a perfect time as I am in the process of cleaning out my art and craft supplies and have started a box of items to pass on or donate. I figure it might take several weeks or maybe even a few months to reach that milestone so I have plenty of time to fill a very large box with all types of goodies. Whether you are a card maker, scrapbooker, collage artist, paper crafter, there should be plenty for you to enjoy. Anything you cannot use, pay if forward. Beginning today, everytime you leave a comment, your name will be entered in the drawing. If you follow my blog currently or sign up to follow before I reach 3,000, you will get 5 additional entries. Check back for more ways to increase your chances of winning.

Happy Anniversary...

Today we celebrate seven wonderful years together. Love you baby! Sharing one of my newest pieces today...

10 x 8 on canvas

mixed media collage

acrylics, ink, vintage images

peeling paint technique

When one door of happiness closes another opens;

but often we look so long at the closed door

that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

Helen Keller

Oh so true!

Have a wonderful day.

Our State flower...

Took a few photos of the dogwoods last weekend and thought I would share. They are such lovely trees...

My favorites are the pinks and reds.

Have a great day!

A new haunting ground...

Made my first trip to the Presbyterian Cemetery this past Sunday. I had often seen the cemetery from the Expressway but never thought much about it. Surprising, if you know how much time I spend at the Old City Cemetery. The Presbyterian Cemetery is amazing, some of the monuments and statues are fascinating. Here are a few of my favorite photos from the visit... I swear, it looks like she has real eyes. Her hand holding a bouquet of flowers. His right eye also looks real.

His tiny hand holding a leaf. I think the moss is fascinating.

I look forward to going back and spending more time.

Hope you are having a fantastic week!

A favorite local artist...

My friend, Bonnie Kinnaird of Sticks & Stones, is a wonderful artist and I am the proud owner of several of her pieces. In addition to concrete cast leaves, she also creates beautiful mosaic pieces. Here are a few...
Bird Garden Stake Cat Garden Stake A piece I purchased. Fish Out of Water Isn't this gorgeous! You can see more of Bonnie's creations plus lovely handmade furniture and other wood items (her father, Norman, is the Sticks part of the team) in the Gallery at the Lynchburg Community Market. Have a great day!

Tulip, tulip, tulip...

I cannot look at a tulip without thinking of a very special person. She used to tell a story about planting tulips and it wasn't that the story was funny but because she couldn't talk without using her hands. Her hands would fly every where and I remember her unique "tulip, tulip, tulip" as she described the way she would plant them. Too funny, I miss her so much. Her are a few photos of my tulips this year...

Planted in memory of Debra List Payne.

Have a wonderful afternoon!

The future...

Eleanor Roosevelt had quite a way with words and her quotes are some of my favorites. A new piece to share... The future... 6 x 8 acrylics, gesso, stamps, vintage images A beautiful, sunny day today and we have made the most of it. So good to get out. Hope you have had a wonderful weekend, have a great week.

A little humor...

when pigs fly 6 x 8 acrylics, ink & paper I've always thought this was a cute saying, thought I'd have a little fun with it. Hope you are having a fabulous week.

Still having issues...

with Blogger. My posts are all out of whack. If anyone out there has any suggestions...

It is what it is...

another piece to share... It is what it is I created this piece with a special friend in mind...a little joke between the two of us. She loved it and is now the proud owner, enjoy it Bonnie. Hope you are having a fantastic weekend.